Electricity distribution companies supplying power to northern areas of Ye Township have reduced electricity supply hours due to difficulties in purchasing fuel, according to local residents.
Beginning March 7, the Northern Ye Electricity Distribution Service (NYEDS), which distributes electricity in Ye Township, announced that power will now be supplied from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., instead of its previous schedule.
A resident from Ye Township said the company had notified users about the change on March 4.
“They announced on March 4 that starting March 7 electricity would only be provided from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. They began implementing the new schedule today. They also said how long this change will continue depends on fuel availability,” the resident said.
NYEDS previously supplied electricity 24 hours a day to villages in northern Ye Township at a rate of 2,250 kyats per unit. The company said further adjustments to electricity supply schedules would depend on fuel availability.
Residents said the reduction of electricity during daytime hours could create difficulties for businesses that rely on power for daily operations.
“Many businesses such as cake-making and sewing depend on electricity. Without power during the day, it will become difficult to continue working. It’s still manageable now because it’s only the first day, but if it continues for a long time, it will be very challenging,” said a local cake business owner.
In Ye Township, electricity is distributed by three private power companies, including NYEDS. Residents said power supply is often reduced or rotated whenever fuel prices increase or fuel becomes difficult to obtain.
Currently, the Petroleum Products Regulatory Department has instructed fuel stations in Mon State to sell fuel at fixed limits: 5,000 kyats per motorcycle, 10,000 kyats per tricycle, 40,000 kyats per private car, and 100,000 kyats for passenger and cargo vehicles.
Although the military council has instructed fuel business operators to follow these limits, some fuel stations have temporarily suspended sales due to high demand and limited fuel supply.
On March 7, the first day of the newly implemented odd-even vehicle license plate system, fuel was reportedly sold only to vehicles with odd-numbered plates. Fuel stations also refused to sell fuel to unlicensed vehicles, resulting in fewer people queuing for fuel.
Electricity companies in Ye Township reportedly purchase fuel through Dawei Port rather than sourcing it from within Mon State.
